HYDERABAD, March 31: Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi has hailed the announcement of the prime minister to abolish the concurrent list, lift ban on student and trade union activities, give freedom to media, repatriate army officers from civil departments, reinstate judges and restore the independence of judiciary, release political prisoners, repeal IRO, increase minimum wages of workers and give employment to one member of each poor family.

In a statement faxed to Dawn, Dr Magsi said it was a good beginning in the journey to democracy which will have positive effects on the masses. He said that Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani deserved accolades for abolishing the black laws of the dictatorial regime. He, however, stressed the need for implementing the announcement in letter and spirit and to eliminate all the relics of dictatorship.

He said that although the abolition of the concurrent list within one year was a positive step in the right direction, but added that the real issue was of granting autonomy to the federating units which could only be done as agreed by the All Parties Conference in London.

He said now the three parties which had attended the APC were a part and parcel of the government, therefore, they should introduce amendments in the constitution to ensure political and financial sovereignty of the provinces.

He said PPP, PML-N and ANP had also waged a joint struggle against the construction of Kalabagh dam and Greater Thal Canal with other parties, including STP. He, however, said that the people of Sindh were disappointed as the prime minister had not mentioned anything about Kalabagh dam in his speech.

He said military operation was launched against the Baloch people and Nawab Akbar Bugti, Mir Balach Mari and others were killed while Akhtar Mengal and many others were incarcerated for demanding rights of the people of their province.

He demanded an end to military operation in Balochistan and release of political prisoners, including Akhtar Mengal and Dr Safdar Sarki of the JSQM.